The non-physician surgical first assistant provides aid in exposure, hemostasis and other functions that will help the surgeon carry out a safe operation with optimal results for the patients. These activities will be performed only as delegated tasks under the direct and immediate supervision of the responsible surgeon.
Students who successfully complete the program will receive a Surgical First Assisting Post Associate Certificate and will be qualified to sit for the national certification (CSFA®) through the National Board for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
Delta's program is four semesters long, starting in the spring. It's a cohort program, so students come in as a group and take their classes together from their first semester until their last. Students may elect to complete their clinical assignments at their current place of employment.
Program details
Our degree prepares you for a career as a surgical first assistant.
Degree info
Surgical First Assistant
- Time & credits
- 4 semesters
24 credits - Course information
- In-person/online
- Blended
- Estimated tuition & fees
- $4,185 (in-district)
$6,510 (out-of-district)
$6,785 (out-of-state)
Professional licensure
Meets the requirements to sit for certification. Certifications are recognized nationwide.
The Surgical First Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727-210-2350
www.caahep.org
The program is one of only two in the state of Michigan and 12 in the nation to be awarded this accreditation.
Getting your degree in the health field is unique compared to other programs.
Students in the Surgical First Assistant program are required to be:
- Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) or (CORST), Nurse-Operating Room (CNOR) or Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C) with certification currency. And, two years full-time experience or 4,500 clinical hours in the last three years
- Graduates from a CAAHEP or ABHES accredited Surgical Technology program, Nursing or Physician Assistant program
- Preferably an Associate of Applied Science Degree (or equivalent)
Students must complete an application packet to be eligible to enter the program including two letters of recommendation, one from a surgeon and one from your supervisor. Please call the program coordinator at 989-686-9505 for more information.
Students who successfully complete the program will receive a Surgical First Assisting Post Associate Certificate and will be qualified to sit for the national certification (CSFA®) through the National Board for Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.
National certification pass rates
Total percent of candidates in the graduation class who took the CSFA® Exam and passed.
- 2022, 100%
- 2021, 100%
- 2020, 83%
- 2019, 59% – National average, 49%
- 2018, 86%
- 2017, 88% – National average, 69%
We want to make sure you're ready when you graduate and that the knowledge you gain from your Delta degree is top-notch.
Program goal
It is the goal of the Delta College’s Surgical First Assistant program to provide quality education to health care professionals in order to prepare its graduates to be competent entry level surgical first assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains.
When you're done, here's what you'll be able to do:
Outcome 1
Demonstrate clinical competence.
Outcome 2
Exhibit strong ethical behaviors.
Outcome 3
Describe the value of diversity related to the workplace setting.
Outcome 4
Demonstrate the ability to make independent clinical judgments within the limits of
the surgical assistant’s responsibilities.
Outcome 5
Demonstrate effective communication skills for the practice setting.
Outcome 6
Demonstrate appropriate critical thinking skills to formulate logical conclusions
from the analysis of data.
The Surgical First Assistant Program Student Handbook is written for students who have been admitted to the program and is a supplement to the Delta College Student Handbook. You will find policies utilized by the Surgical First Assistant program as well as student services that are available.
Transfer
One of the best things about Delta College is the opportunity to start here and go anywhere. And, in the process, save thousands of dollars. It's a smart choice to get your associate's and then transfer on.
Delta works with many colleges and universities to provide associate-to-bachelor’s degree transfer pathways. Check out what's available in this career field.
Job outlook
Interested in a career as a surgical first assistant? Learn more about our region’s
employment outlook and career opportunities you can pursue in this field of study
by reviewing the sampling below. Visit Career Coach to search all careers.
"If you are interested in a fast-paced career field, one that's going to utilize both your academic preparation and your skill set, surgical technology / surgical first assisting is a program for you."
Donovan Traverse
Surgical technology faculty
Get started at Delta
Contact us
Program Coordinator
Ryan Teeple
Health and Wellness Division
F208
ryanteeple@delta.edu
989-686-9505
